Summary
On August 16, 1983, a human cranium was unearthed during trenching work along the southwest side of a building in Prescott, Arizona. The discovery also included a time capsule and assorted non-human bones. The remains are believed to belong to a white male between 30 and 40 years old. Due to the limited skeletal remains recovered, investigators were unable to estimate the individual’s height or weight.
Despite extensive investigative efforts, this individual is still unidentified. His case was entered into NamUs as UP10465. Investigators have searched for leads for over four decades, but without a name, the mystery remains unsolved.
In 2025, the Yavapai County Medical Examiner sent skeletal remains to Othram in hopes that advanced forensic DNA testing can generate new leads. Othram’s scientists will leverage DNA extraction and Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile suitable for forensic genetic genealogical research. A DNASolves crowdfunding campaign has been launched to cover the costs of this specialized testing and analysis.
Your support can make a difference in identifying this individual and reconnecting him with his family. Please consider donating to the DNASolves fund to help cover the costs of advanced DNA testing. Additionally, if you have taken a consumer DNA test, you can contribute by opting into forensic genetic genealogy matching to assist in solving this case and others like it.
Michael Vogen
Director of Case Management
Michael works with law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and Canada on “unsolvable“ cases that can benefit from advanced DNA testing methods. He helps these agencies use cutting edge DNA sequencing and new forensic techniques to develop investigative leads for their cases.